Ahmedabad: The ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) once again demonstrated its dominance in Gujarat's political landscape by sweeping the local body elections held on Tuesday. The party won all 15 municipal corporations and 78 out of 84 municipalities, reaffirming its stronghold in urban areas. In rural regions, the BJP secured 33 of the 34 district panchayats and 220 of the 260 taluka panchayats, showcasing its widespread support.
The only setbacks for the BJP came from the opposition Congress and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP), which managed key wins in rural Gujarat. AAP wrested the Narmada district panchayat from the BJP, while Congress captured the Khadia seat in Ahmedabad city, a BJP stronghold for 46 years.
Urban Sweep
In the municipal corporations, the BJP maintained a winning streak across all major cities, including Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara, Rajkot, Jamnagar, and Bhavnagar. The party also made its debut in nine newly formed municipal corporations: Navsari, Gandhidham, Morbi, Vapi, Anand, Nadiad, Mehsana, Porbandar, and Surendranagar. Out of the total 1,044 seats in 15 cities, the BJP won a staggering 937 seats, while Congress secured 95, and AAP and others got six each. AAP's earlier gains in Surat city, where it had won 27 seats in 2021, were reversed as its tally dropped to just four seats in a single ward.
Municipalities and Panchayats
In the municipalities, the BJP won 78 out of 84, with Congress winning six. Compared to the 2021 elections, where the BJP had won 75 out of 81 municipalities, the party improved its performance. Prime Minister Narendra Modi tweeted, "The bond between Gujarat and the BJP gets even stronger! Gratitude to the people of Gujarat for a sweeping mandate."
In the district panchayats, the BJP swept 33 out of 34, but AAP proved a tough competitor in Narmada district, led by firebrand MLA Chaitar Vasava, who has been fighting for tribal rights. AAP wrested this district panchayat from the BJP, spoiling its perfect score. Of the 1,090 district panchayat seats, the BJP bagged 892, Congress got 136, AAP got 58, and four went to others. In 2021, the BJP had won all 31 district panchayats. This time, a new district, Vav-Tharad, was added, and elections were also held in Banaskantha and Kheda districts, which did not go to polls in 2021. Notably, former IPS officer Manoj Ninama, who quit service to contest on a BJP ticket from Odh seat in Aravalli, lost.
In the taluka panchayats, the BJP won 220 out of 260, securing 3,674 of the total 5,234 seats. Congress won 1,050 seats, AAP won 407, and others got 97. In 2021, the BJP had won 196 out of 231 taluka panchayats. Congress's tally declined from 33 to 18, while AAP made substantial gains, bagging 12 taluka panchayats this year.
Opposition Gains
Political experts noted that while AAP lost ground in Surat, it compensated by making gains in rural Gujarat. Apart from wresting Narmada district, AAP, led by local leaders Chaitar Vasava and Gopal Italia, won tribal seats in south Gujarat and Saurashtra, including Dediapada, Chikda, Garudeshwar, Valia, Bagasra, Lalpur, Junagadh, Visavadar, Sagbara, Chhota Udepur, and Kavant taluka panchayats.
Congress picked up 1,740 of the total 9,992 seats across local bodies. Its overall victory tally dropped as it won 18 taluka panchayats against 33 in 2021, but its municipality tally rose from four to six. The party gained additional seats in urban and rural areas. For instance, its tally in the Ahmedabad civic body rose from 24 to 32, including the BJP bastion of Khadia. In Rajkot, it added four seats to reach seven. It also won Ward 16, which includes the Jangleshwar area that recently witnessed a large-scale demolition drive. A notable win for Congress was Dabhoi municipality in Vadodara, despite the clout wielded by local BJP MLA Shailesh Mehta alias Sotta.
War of Words
After the results, AAP and Congress engaged in a war of words, both claiming to be the number two party in Gujarat. AAP state president Isudan Gadhvi said, "AAP has come to power in one district panchayat and 12 taluka panchayats and emerged as the main opposition party in several municipalities. AAP has stood second in this election." Congress state president Amit Chavda dismissed AAP's claim, stating, "AAP's claim as No-2 party is the result of nexus between AAP and BJP to mislead people. Official data reflects Congress's gains in many local bodies. They should give proof in numbers for No-2 claim."
